Kitchen...

I stopped cold turkey on the kitchen posts. Sorry about that, but working full time and living in a construction zone does little for my creativity.

Nonetheless, the kitchen is done, save for two hours of finish work ( this is literally the same two hours I have been talking about for three weeks, for those of you who have asked! ). Since these photos were taken, we have done some decorating, however, we still have bare walls. I just can't find what I want, so that part will just have to wait. Anyway, no pics of the decorating. It's just my ploy to make everyone come visit. So there.

We now have dishes in those pretty white cabinets, and I love it!

 

This is me. I was at home when the granite arrived, but left shortly before they were finished. When I returned, I felt it necesary to pose like Vanna White.

 

The beloved ( and now adorned! ) window seat. 

 All 93 inches of that bad boy stores every small appliance we own -- and no one dislikes small appliances like I do, so this makes for one very happy girl. My Dad's pretty smart.

 

This is my handsome son. He LOVES the kitchen.

 

On the heels of the kitchen being finished, Jeff celebrated his 31st birthday, which meant it was just the right time for me to attempt a serious homemade coconut cake for his birthday. It took me two days and 3457 ingredients to get to this point.

 

 

And only half the bottle of wine in the background, I promise.

 

You would be correct in assuming that The Mr. chose these birthday candles weeks earlier, but was highly disappointed to learn that they only had one pack left in stock. I guess he was thinking ahead to year 32, when personalized candles are all the rage?

 

The birthday boy liked his cake -- as did everyone else who had some in the days that followed. However, it was overkill. I should post the recipe just to prove the depths of my love for him.

 

And for color, I thought I would show you the ingredients to the fish tacos he had on his birthday,too.

I'm losing it. 

 

 

The kitchen is finished, the Mr. is 31, and it's about to be Labor Day weekend, which means my favorite time of year is upon us...

 

Roll Tide.

 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Kitchen...

I'm typing this post from my phone, so I apologize in advance for errors.
I think today will mark the final day of construction, and I'm almost a little sad. I have loved having my Dad here for this long, and words cannot express how thrilled I am with the almost finished product. Here are some pics from yesterday. Needless to say, its a different place.

Things Are Shaping Up

Lots of tile work was done on Wednesday and I love the new floors. Today they finished the tile, did some painting, and then installed the upper cabinets. To say I am excited would be a total understatement. I am THRILLED with the way things are shaping up. Here are a few pics:

I also love the lighting and the beams painted white...super bright and clean ( for now! )

More to come soon!

Progress!

I'm pretty much amazed by what that Handy Duo ( Dad and The Mr. ) have done in the past four days. After discovering there was much more sheetrock work to be done than they had originally accounted for, they spent much of the day Saturday working on replacing the walls around the cabinet area. All of the cabinet mess from the garage disappeared as well, with a little help from our good friend, BD.

Here are some Saturday pics ( not sure if we can thank humidity or dust for the fine photo quality):

On Sunday, they taped and mudded the sheetrock and started building the new fur down, which is the small dropped portion of the ceiling that closes the gap above the cabinets. I know a lot of people leave them open, and decorate the tops of their cabinets, but I prefer this finish even though it will cut down on my tchotke collection.

So, here are some Sunday Funday pics:

There is a certain mug shot quality to Dad's expression here.

On Monday, while I worked, they did some electrical work, which resulted in nine new recessed lights on the vaulted ceilings, and wiring for the three island pendants.

Thank God he still loves me after all this hard work.

And I think they are pretty fond of one another, too.

The Hunger Games

So, you ask, what does one do without a kitchen for an extended period of time?

They turn their laundry room into one, duh!

I feel incredibly domestic now. As I wash, iron, and fold all The Mr.'s clothes (total lie), I can also make coffee, and a fresh, hot breakfast. In the same room. At the same time.

Bet you haven't seen that on Pinterest.

So here's the set-up.

Not too bad, if you ask me. I've brought out every small kitchen appliance we own for this event, and I even purchased this bad boy.

The card in the middle is inviting me to join their special club for Oster Double Burner owners so that I can get special recipes. Really?

And this is what the pantry looks like now, although slightly more organized than usual.

So, no, we aren't starving or eating out every night, but are instead doing some in-home camping for the time being. And honestly, it's not too bad. In fact, I can smell our Sunday pot roast cooking as we speak.

Let The Games Begin...

When we purchased our "big kid" house in November 2009, there were many reasons we fell in love. I wanted a separate formal space and The Mr. was fond of the manly wood-paneled office. We loved the neighborhood, the privacy, and the fact that there was still a lot to be done. Yes, we are gluttons for punishment.

We knew the biggest overhaul would be the kitchen, and now, almost three years later, we are tackling it. After months of planning, drafting and re-drafting of prints, and numerous calls and e-mails to our Construction Extraordinaire, aka my Dad, we started our project on Friday. To give you some background, this is what the kitchen looked like the day we bought the house:

And within four months, it looked like this. One can only handle so much bright red wood stain and unfortunate wallpaper for so long.

I loved our interim fix. The Mr. picked the cabinet color and was quick to remind everyone who complimented us that he chose the paint. I'll admit, he got it right.


And then I came home from work on Friday to find the kitchen looking like this:

With this in the garage:

And these two handsome dudes taking care of business:

If anyone can do it, they can. So, in the spirit of the Olympics, I say, "Let the games begin!"

Alabama

A lot has happened since the last time I blogged...

A series of major tornadoes hit the great State of Alabama last week, leaving thousands homeless. As it happened, I watched on TV, knowing that the storm was coming closer and that at any time I would lose power. As I watched it swirl above Tuscaloosa, my heart ached and for the first time in my life, I felt a little afraid of the weather. Keep in mind -- I grew up on the Gulf Coast, where hurricanes are a part of life -- but for some reason, this one really got my attention. Along with my Mother and the pets ( The Mr. was in Canada ) we took shelter in one of the guest bathrooms. I could hear the sounds outside and worried about what we would find when the door was opened. To my surprise...nothing more than a few limbs. We had escaped the worst of it, but I knew that we were indeed lucky.

In the days following the storm, I spent countless hours at the Junior League of Birmingham's Bargain Carousel ( my placement and something I am passionate about ). The stories of tragedy came from all walks of life, and on a number of occasions, I found myself slinking off into a corner to dry my eyes. One person after the next, all weekend long, recounted their tale. And amazingly, no matter the scale of their loss, they each ended by saying, "But we were lucky.".

And indeed they were, just as I was. For the storm had passed, left its mark, and moved on, leaving us among those who made it through alive. I realized over the past week that one's life can change in an instant - a split second - and for that, we should spend each moment treasuring our fortune of friends and family. I was, and am, moved to tears by what this state has endured, but I am reassured by the constant and abiding spirit of good hearted people, willing to lend a hand. For it must have been that same spirit that Julia Tutwiler spoke of when she wrote our state song so many years ago, adding these lyrics:

Little, little, can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine;
But that little -- hand, brain, spirit,
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me,
Alabama, Alabama,
I will aye be true to thee